Subject: hello
From: Catalina Crain <richtrent@walla.com>
Even before I opened it, I could tell that this message was going to be spam. However, I expected the message it contained to be a generic spam message pimping out email addresses, prescription drugs, or OEM software like the vast majority of spam I receive. I have seen spam that told me that I should go to a website, call a phone number, or even fax all of my personal information to Nigeria. I have never seen spam that suggested I go to Amazon or Borders to purchase a book:
AMAZING TRUE STORY! A MUST READ! THE NEXT OSCAR WINNING MOVIE!Celebrities, Drugs and Murder:
Title: Beverly Hills Youth: from Riches to Rags to Riches
This NEW RELEASE is Now available at:
www.Amazon.com
www.Borders.com
www.BeverlyHillsYouth.com
The book supposably tells the story of one Christopher Kehoe, who grew in Beverly Hills, knew O.J. Simpson as a child, grew up into a bad person, went to prison, and then redeemed himself through the power of the Lord. I assume this heartwarming story of redemption misses The book, written by a mysterious figure named G.C. Bourquin, was apparently published by "Back 2 Life Publication," whose website seems to be promoting some sort of recreational center in the Kansas City area. It proclaims "Welcomes you to our State-of the Art Non-Smoking and Alcohol-Free Entertainment Facility!," as if the viewer were standing in the foyer of a brick-and-mortar establishment instead of looking at a badly designed website. To compound the absurdity of the site, images on every page proclaim that the site, or the "entertainment facility," or maybe something completely different is coming in August 2005. The description metatag gurgles, "Welcome to the homepage... I can't waite until the whole CMS is done!"
But the story gets better. I stumbled upon the website for Back 2 Life Ministries, which is owned by the same Chris Kehoe and his wife. Despite the fact that two press releases for the book describe Chris as a "local thug", the couple seem like a normal American Christian fundamentalist family, from their six children to their reactionary views on homosexuality (including the choice quote "They are not born that way, just as murderers are not born that way."), music (proving for once and for all that fundamentalists have bad taste), and witchcraft:
If you have ever dabbled with or practiced any type of witchcraft (black magic, spells, curses, Ouija boards, packs with the devil (demons), etc.) Just know that through the Blood of Jesus (and only the Blood of Jesus) can break every curse and or stronghold.
The next time the devil attempts to help me move, I will let him know that I am not interested, and that the Blood of Jesus and I can pack up my stuff just fine, thank you.
The BeverlyHillsYouth and Back 2 Life websites are all hosted by One Way Web Stop (OWWS), which does not seem to have a Terms of Service statment anywhere on their website, which suggests that they are either not serious about ensuring that their clients keep to acceptable standards of Internet behavior. Also, the Better Business Bureau reports that the owner of OWWS is one Robert Kehoe.
They do have a "Promote Your Website" section, which includes "email marketing thousands of opt-in email subscribers all over the internet." Also of technical interest is their "Website Locker" feature, which they promise will " Encrypt your website's source code, protect your pictures, disable print and print screen. Totally protect your site from hackers, and stealers..." However, the Website Locker seems to be a 128 bit SSL certificate, which does absolutely nothing to protect website source code or picture.
The web behind this spam message is even more tangled than the previous book spam message I received. If I learn anything more, I will add it in the comments.
# At 2:51 on July 25, 2005, latt copley wrote:
I have checked out OWWS with the Better Business Bureau and found that it is in fact owned by Robert Kehoe who is apparently the son of Christopher Kehoe and has no complaints on file. It seems normal to me that the Father would use his son's Company, what point are you trying to make? I contacted OWWS and found that the site was new and that a brick and mortar location was going to be opened in Kansas City in August, which I am very thankful for. there are not many good places to go to dance and have fun without having to deal with the drunks and that favors family values, It seems that you don't understand that we all aren't the same. While this environment may not appeal to you it is just what I am looking for. You have hundreds of bars you can go to, I am thankful for this one. As a matter of fact there are numerous gay clubs and bars, I think a fundemental club is overdue! In response to your comments regarding homosexuality (including the choice quote "They are not born that way, just as murderers are not born that way."), music (proving for once and for all that fundamentalists have bad taste), and witchcraft. I respect your opinion, however, I am not a homosexual, I like county western music, I am not involved in witchcraft, whats the big deal? So we like different music disagree on issues of sexuality and I respect anyone who stands for what they believe, even if I disagree with there values and beliefs. I am a fundamental Christian. I don't go out of my way to attack you or people like you, If I get a pop up about music I dislike, homosexual lifestyle, witchcraft I close the pop up and adjust my pop up blocker to block future attempts. You have used the opinions of others who have commented on the book to suggest that Back 2 Life is expecting to be the next Oscar nominee, give me a break, You decieve yourself. In regards to the next time the Devil offers to help you move, take the help. It would be the first benefical thing that I know of the devil every having done. By the way how many times has he moved you? Disagreeing with someone is acceptable. Attacking someone because you don't agree with them is unacceptable. It puts you in the same catagory as gay bashers and crooked clergy. If you don't like the music change the channel. I'm sure you'll find somethin you like! Thanks for the opprotunity to comment!
# At 17:15 on July 25, 2005, Mike wrote:
Robert Kehoe is Chris's Step-son. They are a rather 'interesting couple' who are indeed trying to get a new business venture off the ground.
# At 20:29 on July 25, 2005, Martey wrote:
I have replied to your comment in my entry "Commenting on Comments." If you wish to make a reply, please feel free to do so there.
# At 22:55 on August 17, 2005, Brittney wrote:
Hello Mike how did you get Christopher Kehoe's information about Robert supposable being his step son! That is not true, He is in fact his birth father.
# At 13:10 on September 19, 2005, Robby wrote:
My first question regarding your comments on the book Beverly Hills Youth: from Riches to Rags to Riches is have you read it? Some of your comments led me to believe that perhaps you had not: "The book supposably tells the story of one Christopher Kehoe, who grew in Beverly Hills, knew O.J. Simpson as a child, grew up into a bad person, went to prison, and then redeemed himself through the power of the Lord. I assume this heartwarming story of redemption misses The book, written by a mysterious figure named G.C. Bourquin, was apparently published by Back 2 Life Publication." You stated that, "Despite the fact that two press releases for the book describe Chris as a "local thug", the couple seem like a normal American Christian fundamentalist family..." However, if you have not read the book, how can you make observations and judgments about the people described in the book. Having read the book myself, I felt that G.C. Borquin clearly protrayed the transformation which took place in the life of Chris Kehoe.
I am also interested in your purpose for writing the above comments in the first place. They seem especially harsh an unfounded.
Please reply.
# At 1:22 on September 21, 2005, Martey wrote:
Okay, "Robby" and any future commenters, listen up, and listen up good. Whether I have read the book or not is irrelevant, and does not take away from my ability to "make observations and judgments about the people described in the book." I am sure that this is a bad book. How can I be so sure? Because the book appeared in a spam message, which seems to have been sent by the author, your precious G.C. Borquin, or Chris Kehoe himself. I do not care if the book is a "hearwarming story of redemption" or not - Kehoe's redemption was obviously not complete if he is reduced to sending spam messages in the hope that someone will buy his life story.
In the very slim chance that I am wrong (which I doubt, considering the stream of comments coming from various aliases which seem to deliberately ignore the fact that I learned about this book through an unsolicited email message), I would be glad to hear from Mr. Borquin or Mr. Kehoe themselves, rather than from meat puppets which make the same arguments that I refuted back in July. If you read that entry (especially the last paragraph) and still cannot understand my "purpose," you are too ignorant to be commenting here or anywhere else.
# At 11:58 on September 30, 2005, Robby wrote:
Ouch. You are an unhappy person, aren't you? Do you get off on insults? I suppose I don't take them well..or I take them personally. I still disagree with your comments and feel that you cannot form a complete opinion about a book without first reading it. And yes, I understand your purpose was regarding the spam message. My purpose in writing was to share my own opinion being one who has read the book and persuade you to look past the spam message, no matter how annoying they may be, and read the book yourself. Also, why do you assume G.C. Bourquin is a male? His or her identity is not made clear.
Thank,
A So-Called "Meat Puppet"
# At 13:13 on September 30, 2005, Martey wrote:
What you assume is unhappiness is actually anger. Anger at the fact that you cannot seem to understand that I think spam is not just annoying, but also morally wrong. As a result, all other considerations are virtually irrelevant. I believe I have made this clear in everything I have written about this topic, but you, Robby, and the other people commenting on this post continue to ignore this in favor of making stupid comments about my "assumptions."
It does not matter if G.C. Borquin is male, female, or does not even exist. The fact remains that this "discussion" is not actually progressing anywhere, since you do not understand the fundamental point that is at the basis of my argument. As a result, I am closing comments on this post. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about this decision.